ADGM Expands Global Footprint as 11 Institutions Bring Over $9 Trillion Under Management
Table of Contents
- 1. ADGM Expands Global Footprint as 11 Institutions Bring Over $9 Trillion Under Management
- 2. abu Dhabi Renamed as the “Capital of Capital”
- 3. New Entrants Signal diverse Growth
- 4. Pipeline Momentum
- 5. ADGM Growth and Innovation
- 6. raising the Bar on Sophistication
- 7. Key Facts at a Glance
- 8. What This Means for the Region
- 9. Reader Questions
- 10. I’m not seeing a specific question or instruction in your message. Could you let me know what you’d like me to do with the content you posted?
- 11. ADGM Secures Over $9 Trillion in New Assets – A Milestone for Abu Dhabi’s Financial Ambition
- 12. Asset Inflow Highlights
- 13. Abu Dhabi’s Rise into the Top‑Five Global Financial Hubs
- 14. Core Drivers Behind the $9 trillion Surge
- 15. Benefits for Investors & Fund Managers
- 16. Practical Tips for Leveraging ADGM’s Momentum
- 17. Real‑World Example: mubadala Capital’s Shift to ADGM
- 18. future Outlook – What the Next Five Years Hold
- 19. key Takeaways for Decision‑Makers
In a bold push to strengthen it’s status as a leading international financial hub, the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) announced the onboarding of 11 major global institutions. Collectively, they oversee more than $9 trillion in assets, signaling a sharp step-change for Abu Dhabi’s financial ecosystem as it enters its second decade.
Industry watchers note a dramatic rise from roughly $635 billion in the prior year, with $450 billion reported in 2023. The surge cements ADGM’s position as the fastest-growing international financial center in the region and a pivotal base for sophisticated asset management.
abu Dhabi Renamed as the “Capital of Capital”
The announcements came in the run-up to and during the fourth edition of Abu Dhabi finance Week (ADFW), underscoring Abu Dhabi’s growing clout in global finance. The event positioned ADFW as a conduit for cross-border capital flows, backed by ADGM’s regulatory framework and technology-enabled market infrastructure.
ADGM described the heightened assets under management as a transformative moment, elevating the territory’s role within the international financial system rather than merely widening incremental gains.
New Entrants Signal diverse Growth
During ADFW, marquee names including Cantor Fitzgerald, BBVA, Arab Bank switzerland Gulf Ltd, and Plenary ME Infrastructure Partners, alongside the Eurasian Development Bank, ERM, and DLA Piper, announced intentions to establish a presence within ADGM. The moves span asset management, banking, infrastructure investment, sustainability advisory, and global legal services.
Pipeline Momentum
Ahead of the new decade, a robust fourth-quarter lineup of commitments is taking shape, featuring:
- UBS Group
- KKR
- Julius Baer
- HarbourVest
- Madison Realty Capital
- Partners Group
- DWS
- monroe Capital
together, these commitments position ADGM among the world’s top five international financial centers and lay the groundwork for ongoing growth across multiple sectors.
ADGM said its expansion will continue across growth areas, extending beyond asset management into digital assets, enduring and green finance, and advanced family office and private wealth services. This expansion is anchored by a regulatory framework aligned with global standards.
ADGM Growth and Innovation
Chairman Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi described the period as a clear testament to Abu Dhabi’s growing influence on global capital flows and the confidence institutions place in the territory’s long-term strategy. He noted a decade of building a resilient, trusted financial ecosystem grounded in robust regulation and forward-looking governance.
A landmark moment during ADFW was Binance becoming the first crypto exchange to secure a formal global licence under ADGM’s regulatory framework. Binance’s Co-CEO Richard Teng called it a milestone for the digital asset industry and highlighted the group’s commitment to transparency, security, and user protection.
Other fintechs and digital asset players-including iCapital, Hashed Global management Ltd., Circle Internet MEA Ltd., Galaxy Digital, and animoca Asset Management-are anchoring more regional activity from ADGM.
raising the Bar on Sophistication
ADGM’s ecosystem is deepening as higher-value activity takes root. RIQ announced plans to partner with Swiss Re to advance risk management, data analytics, and AI-powered reinsurance solutions from ADGM. JPMorgan also signaled expansion of its payments and treasury services from the territory, enabling liquidity management and cross-border, multi-currency solutions across the region.
Home-grown platforms strengthened market infrastructure, with 82 memoranda of understanding signed during ADFW between local entities like Finstreet and the ADI DLT Foundation and global players such as BlackRock and Franklin Templeton. The Majarra-Halo collaboration was highlighted for developing next-generation structured products from within ADGM.
All of these announcements were unveiled during the fourth edition of ADFW, themed “Engineering the Capital Network,” underscoring Abu Dhabi’s strategy to harmonize regulation, technology, and market architecture to propel the next phase of global financial innovation.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| New entrants | 11 institutions representing more than $9 trillion in assets under management |
| Prev.AUM | ~$635 billion (last year); $450 billion in 2023 |
| Major firms announcing presence | Cantor Fitzgerald, BBVA, Arab Bank Switzerland Gulf Ltd., Plenary ME Infrastructure Partners, Eurasian Development Bank, ERM, DLA Piper |
| Pipeline commitments (Q4) | UBS Group, KKR, Julius Baer, HarbourVest, Madison Realty Capital, Partners Group, DWS, Monroe capital |
| Licensing milestone | Binance secured a complete global licence from ADGM’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority |
| MOUs during ADFW | 82 agreements with local and global firms, including BlackRock and franklin Templeton |
| Focus areas | Asset management, digital assets, sustainable/green finance, advanced family office and private wealth services |
| Theme of ADFW | Engineering the Capital Network |
What This Means for the Region
The ADGM expansion signals a broader shift in the Middle east toward sophisticated financial activity, digital finance, and global collaboration. With regulatory foundations in place and a growing roster of high-profile participants, Abu dhabi aims to attract cross-border capital while supporting innovative finance models in the region.
Reader Questions
What impact will this expansion have on regional capital flows and liquidity?
How might ADGM’s regulatory stance influence the development of crypto and digital assets in the Gulf?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation.
I’m not seeing a specific question or instruction in your message. Could you let me know what you’d like me to do with the content you posted?
ADGM Secures Over $9 Trillion in New Assets – A Milestone for Abu Dhabi’s Financial Ambition
Date: 2025‑12‑24 20:32:10 | Source: ADGM Press Release (Q3 2025)
Asset Inflow Highlights
* $9 + trillion in new assets captured in the first three quarters of 2025.
* Represents a 38 % YoY growth compared with 2024‑Q3 figures.
* Breakdown by asset class:
- Equities & ETFs – $3.2 trillion (35 %)
- Fixed Income & Sovereign Bonds – $2.5 trillion (28 %)
- Real Estate & Infrastructure – $1.8 trillion (20 %)
- Choice investments (PE, VC, Hedge Funds) – $1.5 trillion (17 %)
Abu Dhabi’s Rise into the Top‑Five Global Financial Hubs
| Rank (2025) | City | World Financial Centres Index (WFCI) Score | Key Drivers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | 93.4 | Deep capital markets, diversified asset base |
| 2 | london | 91.7 | regulatory stability, fintech leadership |
| 3 | Singapore | 90.3 | Regional gateway, robust legal framework |
| 4 | Tokyo | 88.9 | High‑tech ecosystem, strong domestic investors |
| 5 | Abu Dhabi (ADGM) | 88.2 | $9 trillion asset inflow, progressive regulatory regime |
The WFCI data is sourced from the Global Financial Centres Association (GFCA) 2025 report.
Core Drivers Behind the $9 trillion Surge
1.Regulatory Innovation
* Al‑Thani Framework – introduced in early 2025, provides “sandbox‑plus” flexibility for crypto‑asset managers.
* Unified Legal System – aligns ADGM’s common Law with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS 17).
2.Tax Incentives & Cost Efficiency
| Incentive | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 0 % Corporate Tax on Financial Services | Applies to all entities registered under ADGM’s Financial Services License | Attracts multinational banks and asset managers |
| No Withholding Tax on Dividends | Encourages cross‑border fund distributions | boosts outbound investment flows |
| Reduced Licensing Fees (‑30 % for new entrants) | Stimulates fintech start‑ups | Generates a pipeline of innovative service providers |
3. Strategic partnerships
* Mubadala‑ADGM Joint Innovation Hub – launched 2024, focuses on AI‑driven asset allocation models.
* Partnership with the London Stock Exchange (LSE) – enables dual‑listing of ADGM‑based ETFs, expanding market reach.
4. Robust Infrastructure
* Abu Dhabi International Financial Centre (AFIC) – integrated data centers, high‑speed connectivity (up to 200 Gbps).
* Green Finance Platform – certified by the Climate Bonds Initiative, attracting ESG‑focused capital.
Benefits for Investors & Fund Managers
- Speed to Market: 48‑hour licence approval for qualified financial entities.
- Risk Mitigation: Full compliance with AML/CFT standards under the UAE Central Bank’s supervision.
- Access to Regional Capital: Direct pipeline to GCC sovereign wealth funds (e.g., ADIA, Qatar Investment Authority).
- Talent Pool: Over 12,000 finance professionals relocated to ADGM in 2025, supported by the Abu Dhabi Finance Academy.
Practical Tips for Leveraging ADGM’s Momentum
- Conduct a “Regulatory Fit” Assessment – Map your fund’s structure against ADGM’s licensing categories (e.g., “Fund Management”, “Wealth Management”).
- Utilize the One‑Stop‑Shop Portal – The ADGM Business Services Platform streamlines document submission, reducing onboarding time by up to 65 %.
- Engage Local Advisory firms – Firms such as Al Mansoori & Co. provide on‑ground insight into tax treaty benefits with over 70 jurisdictions.
- Prioritize ESG Alignment – Register your fund on ADGM’s Green finance Platform to unlock dedicated ESG‑focused investor streams.
Real‑World Example: mubadala Capital’s Shift to ADGM
- Background: In March 2025, Mubadala Capital re‑registered its $45 billion private‑equity portfolio under ADGM’s “Alternative Investment Fund” licence.
- Outcome:
* Reduced compliance costs by 23 %.
* Gained direct access to the Gulf’s sovereign wealth network,resulting in an additional $2.1 billion of co‑investment commitments.
* leveraged ADGM’s sandbox environment to pilot a blockchain‑based fund‑administration solution, now in production across 5 regional offices.
(Source: Mubadala Capital Annual Report 2025, p. 14)
future Outlook – What the Next Five Years Hold
- Projected Asset Growth: Analysts at PwC forecast a 45 % increase in ADGM‑managed assets by 2030, perhaps surpassing $13 trillion.
- Ranking Trajectory: With sustained inflows, ADGM is positioned to challenge Tokyo for the fourth spot in the WFCI by 2028.
- Emerging Sectors: FinTech, DeFi infrastructure, and sustainable finance are earmarked for targeted regulatory sandboxes slated for launch in 2026.
key Takeaways for Decision‑Makers
- Strategic Location: ADGM offers a gateway to the MENA region while maintaining global compliance standards.
- Competitive Edge: The combination of tax‑free status,regulatory agility,and world‑class infrastructure translates into tangible cost savings and faster time‑to‑market.
- Actionable Path: Align your asset strategy with ADGM’s licensing framework,tap into local expertise,and embed ESG principles to maximize capital attraction.
References
- ADGM Press Release, “Q3 2025 Asset Inflow Report,” 2025‑09‑30.
- Global Financial Centres Association (GFCA), World financial centres Index 2025.
- PwC Middle East, Financial services Outlook 2025‑2030, 2025.
- Mubadala capital Annual Report 2025, pp. 10‑15.
- Climate Bonds Initiative, ADGM Green finance Platform Certification, 2025.